2021, Château Grand Village, BORDEAUX Blanc (Ch. Lafleur)

Bordeaux Blend: Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon.

White wines have been grown at Grand Village since the 17th Century but gradually gave way to red. In the 1990s Sylvie and Jacques started replanting some of the vineyards with Sauvignon and Semillon, knowing that the vineyards showed great potential to make a fresh, youthful style of white wine. Ten years later vine stock from Sancerre was added by Baptiste and Julie which added extra layers of richness and complexity.

The 2021 Grand Village Blanc is bright, finely cut and bristling with energy. Lemon confit, white pepper, lime, mint, sage and a kiss of oak all race out of the glass. This is the first vintage that was vinified in oak. Finely cut and chiseled, the Blanc is full of vibrancy. I find it hard to resist. 89-91 Antonio Galloni.

A slight style change, for those of you who follow this wine. It needs coaxing out of the glass, which is usually the case with les Champs Libres but not with Grand Village Blanc. It's the first year in the new white cellar, with greater temperature control, and now 100% aged in barrel, which means everything is a little more on the edge of reduction, with reserved citrus and grapefruit flavours, along with an edge of steel. It means you can expect a more serious Grand Village, showcasing the real ambition of the Lafleur team for its white wines. 91 Jane Anson.

The 2021 Grand Village Blanc was picked September 9?13 and for the first time was vinified in the cellar, which is cooler and slowed the vinification down. It has a lively, irresistible bouquet of lime, white peach and apricot blossom. The palate is medium-bodied with fine acidity, quite tensile, and very fresh, featuring gooseberry, lime and a touch of white pepper. Just delicious. 90-92 Neal Martin.